Clutch mechanism for power-driven machines



June 10 1 924.

M. HEMLEB dLUTCH MECHANISM FOR POWER DRIVEN MACHINES Filed Aug. 5, 3.921

llllllllllllll' I INVENTOR TTORNEY Patented June 10, 1924.

Magnum HEMLEB, or ELIZABETH, NEW JEnsEg; assielsi'on'ro THE SINGER MANU- racrnamc COMPANY, or ELIZABETH, new JERSEY; A coercerron 013 NEW JERSEY.

CLUTCH MECHANISM ro e POWEB-DBIIVEQT MAQ S- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN HEMLEB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have inventedcertain new and useful "Improvements in" Clutch Mechanisms for Power Driven Machines, of which the following is a specificati'on, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawmgpsg i This invention relates topower-transmitting clutches, more particularly of the fricttion type represented in my Patent No. 1,409,444, granted March 14, 1922, and has for an object to provide an improved clutch affording nice 'control'ofthe speed of the driven clutch-element or machine by an inexperienced operator.

A further object of the invention is to reduce to a minimum the end-thrust friction between the clutch-controlling member and the driven clutch-element and to evercome the tendency of the endwise movable clutchelementto stick on its shaft. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, the foregoing objects are attained by interposing a light spring between the driving and drivenclutch-elements and by opposing the action o f this ments by the action of a stronger spr'i-hg carriedby a clutclrcontrolling member. This second spring preferably receives the thrust of a bearing piece which is formed with a socket to receive one spherical end of a thrust-rod, the opposite spherical end of which is rec'eivedwithin a socket at the center of the endw'ise movable clutc'lt-ele meiit. Thus, the pressure ofthe clutch-controlling elementis'always exerted centrally of the endwise movable clutch-member,-

companying'drawings' and the following detailed"descfiptionof the mechanism ill-ustrate'd' therein. A

the drawings, Fig; 1 is a side elevation, partly insection', of a sewing machin embodying; me-invenuan, parts being in actuating pas-ailmand Fig; 2 is a fragfllfiti? v e mi t Fig; 1 with the wa n g-position. I i 1 present oliith mechanism is articularly adapted for driving a sewing machine of the usualtype having a bed I, and goosefie'ck'2 in the mammal-members of which is jo'urnaled therma'in-shaft- 4 connected, as usual, we "drive: the sewing and feeding mechanisms" at the machine.- The mainshaft rojects extriorly of thegoos -netk "through the bearing boss 5 and loosely carri'es' the" live clutch-element- 6 which is constantly drix enby-thelectric mot-0r 7 having its p w esha'ft 8' arranged transversely of and below main-shaft 4 and-connected to "the latter by man e the spiral-gears 9 -10.

, 7 a p v v the key 141st into-tli s'haft 4-, and is "also spring tending to separate the clutche'leeoaipiemeamryte the driving surface 11.

The driven 'el'ement-12is constantly urged ofeiigagement with the live clutch-ele- Inent 6-by means of the coil spring 16 surmending the shaft4' and interposed between the driveh eluteh-leinent and a-Washer: 1.7

backed up by a split-collar lampean mi the shit-ft 4. Ti liflyfitted to the outer end of the shaft-receiving ap'e'l ture 19 in'the driven 18 tightly clutch-element 12 is a thrust-receiving-button 2O fanned centrally wit'l i aisocketafor the ball-end 21 of a thrust-rod 22, the opposite ball-end 23 of Which is socketed centrally of the pressure-member or head 24 of a pin 25 slidably mounted in a sleeve 26 fixed within a boss 27 at the free end of the usual clutchoperating lever 28. A spring 29 strong enough to overcome the spring 16 is interposed between the head 24 and the end-Wall 30 of the sleeve 26. A collar 31 fixedly secured to the end of the pin 25 rojecting through the end'wall 30 of the sleeve, limits the advance of the head 24 by the spring 29.

' connected the treadle-operated arm l0.

The clutch-controlling lever is fulcrumed, as represented in my said co-pending application upon the pivot 32 sustained by the bracket 33 secured to the goose-neck 2; the bracket 33 terminating in a stationary brakearm 34. The clutch-controlling lever 28 is formed with a brake-arm 35 adapted to clamp the driven clutch-wheel 12 against the stationary brake-arm 3st to quickly and smoothly stop the sewing machine when driving relation between the clutch-elements is interrupted. The downwardly extending arm 36 of the clutch-controlling lever may be operated lever-arm 38 fixed to a rock-shaft 39 beneath the bed 1, to which rock-shaft is alsp I spring 41 tends to restore the arm 38 to the position shown in Fig. 1 and thereby apply the brake 35 to the driven clutch-element 12.

When the treadle-arm e0 is pulled downwardly, the braking pressure of the arm 35 upon the driven clutch-element 12 is relieved and the pressure of the spring 16 is balanced by the pressure of the spring 29 before the said clutch-element is moved over against the live. clutchelement. This provision allows the operator to freely turn the wheel 12 by hand to raise the needle from the work at the end of a sewing operation or to set the needle in the work preparatory to turning a square corner. A further pull upon the arm compresses the spring 29 sufficiently to overbalance the spring 16 and lightly press the driven wheel into engagement with the live clutch-element. Still further movement of the arm. L0 over a considerable range efiects a gradual increase of pressure of the wheel 12 against the driving element 6, with a in speed of the driven element. By thus spreading the control of the driven element over substantially the full range of treadle movement, an inexperienced operator may readily obtain any desired-sewing machine speed.

The use of the thrust-rod for applying the opposed pressures centrally of the driven element and clutch-arm, respectively, reduces friction to a minimum and greatly increases the useful life of the device.

by a link connection 37 with a consequent increase While the present invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with the sewing machine driving and controlling mechanism disclosed in my Patent No. 1,38%,t6d, granted July 12, 1921, it is evident that it may be used with various other mechanisms within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I. claim herein is 1. :In a clutch device, a live clutch-element, a driven clutch-element having an axially disposed socket, a clutch controlling lever, and a thrust-rod received at one extreme end in the axial socket in the driven clutch-element and at its other extreme end connected to said clutch-controlling lever, said thrust-rod being free of support between its ends.

2. ln a clutch device, a live clutch-element, a driven clutch-element, a clutch-controlling lever, a ressure member resiliently mounted on said ever, and a thrust-rod free of support between its ends and connected at its ends to said pressure-member and driven clutch-element. which form the sole direct supporting means for said rod.

3. In a clutch device, a live clutch-element, a driven clutch-element having an axially disposed spherically-surfaced socket, a spring tending to separate said elements, a clutch-controlling lever, a pressure-member resiliently mounted on said lever and formed with a spherically surfaced socket, and a thrust-rod having spherically surfaced ends received in said sockets and free of support between its ends.

4:. In a clutch device, a live clutch element, a driven clutch-element, a clutch-controlling lever, a sleeve carried by said lever, a pin slidably mounted within said sleeve and formed with a socketed pressure-head, a spring surrounding said pin within said sleeve, and a thrust-rod received at one end by said socketed pressure-head and at its other end socketed in the driven clutch-element, axially of the latter.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

MARTIN HEMLEB. 

